Written by

Elena Novak

Staff Writer

There are 11 amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot. Though many can seem overwhelming in content, knowing what these amendments say will help students make informed decisions in the voting booth.

“If these amendments pass, they become part of the Florida Constitution which most of the FSU students will live under in the future,” said Dr. Carol Weissert, FSU professor of political science. “It’s important for them to know what defines their lives in this manner.”

Here is a breakdown of the Florida Legislature’s amendments to the state Constitution.

Amendment 1, Health Care Services

This amendment essentially removes the responsibility from Florida citizens of purchasing health insurance under threat of a penalty. Those who oppose the Affordable Care Act and the government mandate to purchase health insurance might vote yes on this amendment; however, the amendment could be rendered moot by the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause which makes Federal law overrule state law when both directly conflict.

Amendment 2, Homestead for Disabled Veterans

This amendment proposes extending the discount on the homesteads of veterans who became disabled due to a combat injury to those who were not Florida residents when they joined the military. This would result in a decrease in revenue at the local government level, where property taxes are collected.

Amendment 3, State Government Revenue Limitation

This amendment changes the formula for a cap on state revenue growth. Currently the calculation is done based on personal income growth; the amendment would change the basis for calculating revenue limitation to population growth and inflation. Any revenue collected over the limitation amount is deposited in a fund until that fund is also maxed out, and any additional revenue is used for maintaining education by reducing the financial responsibilities of school districts in funding public schools. Therefore, the remaining revenue is returned to the taxpayer either directly or through lower property taxes.

Amendment 4, Property Tax Limitations

This amendment would prohibit the increase of assessed value of homestead property if the fair market value of the property decreases, a practice called the “recapture rule.” The increase prohibition would also extend to non-homestead property. Lastly, the amendment would allow an additional homestead property tax exemption for first-time buyers equal to 50 percent of the average home price in the country, which would gradually reduce until it expires in five years.

Amendment 5, State Courts

This amendment deals with the balance of power between the courts and the legislature. In effect, the amendment requires appointments to the Florida Supreme Court to be approved by the Florida Senate, and it also limits the re-adoption of court rules that the legislature has repealed. It also replaces the requirements of a 2/3rd vote to a simple majority.

Amendment 6, Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions and Construction of Abortion Rights

This amendment would make the federal ban on public funding for most abortions part of the state Constitution. It would diminish the scope of a state privacy law typically used in opposition to abortion restrictions, and it would strengthen the parental consent requirement, which currently only calls for parental notice, not consent.

Amendment 8, Religious Freedom

This amendment was formerly Amendment 7. The amendment would change the wording of the Florida Constitution to make it more consistent with the U.S. Constitution regarding public funding of religious institutions. Current wording states, “No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institute.” The change would read instead, “No individual or entity may be discriminated against or barred from receiving funding on the basis of religious identity or belief.”

Amendment 9, Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses

This amendment would provide a homestead property tax exemption to surviving spouses of servicemen who died in combat or from service-related causes or to spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty.

Amendment 10, Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption

This amendment seeks to increase the personal property tax exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and allows the Legislature to approve additional exemptions at the local level. The purpose of the amendment is to decrease the tax burden on small businesses and provide an incentive for out-of-state businesses to relocate to Florida.

Amendment 11, Homestead for Low-income Seniors

This amendment proposes an additional homestead tax exemption granted by a county or municipality for people who meet the following qualifications: owning a property with a just value less than $250,000, maintaining permanent residency on the property for no less than 25 years, being 65 or older, having a low household income defined by general law.

Amendment 12, Student Body President to Board of Governors

This amendment determines who is on the Board of Governors for the State University System of Florida. Currently student body presidents from public universities across Florida can voluntarily be involved with the Florida Student Association, which appoints a Chair to represent them on the Board of Governors. The amendment would create a whole new council composed of student body presidents, and the chair of said council would replace the FSA Chair on the Board of Governors.